Breast Implants: Q&A

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Does Bacteria in Saline Implants Show Up in Mammograms?

My yearly mammograms show one of my saline implants to be opague and the other one clear. Does this indicate bacteria in one of them? The opaque one is firmer and tighter than the other one. My saline implants are 18 years old, and I previously had silicone implants, one of which ruptured after 5 years. I am 60 years old, slender, and still active in sports. I am worried about illness if bacteria leaks from a rupture. Aesthetically, I still look great.

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8 Doctor Answers | Asked by mature lady in Virginia in Danville, VA

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Breast Implants and Mammograms

Hello Mature Lady, You don't have bacteria in your saline filled breast implant. You have capsular contracture around one though, causing the affected implant to feel firm and look opacified on mammogram due to calcium deposits in the abnormal scar tissue. This is not dangerous, but does require a surgery to correct. Best of luck!

Saline Breast Implants, Mammograms, and Capsular Contracture

The presence of bacteria, on the surface of or inside a saline implant, cannot be detected by mammography. Both saline and silicone implants will be visible on mammograms. Relative to one another, saline implants are more radiolucent and silicone implants are more radiopaque. This means that saline implants will appear as more of a hazy/translucent white color and silicone implants will appear more densely white. That is because silicone blocks the passage of x-rays more than saline. The... more

Mammography will not disclose presence of bacteria

A mammogram will show opacity indicating the presence of the implants. It is possible that one breast has a capsular contracture while the other one does not. This is borne out by your descriptiion. You should return to your plastic surgeon to discuss treatment options.

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Saline breast implants and mammograms

About 20 years ago there was some concern about bacteria in saline implants but the use of what is called a "closed fill system" became standard so it would be extremely rare. Although yours are 18 years old, a mammogram would not show anything like that anyway. It is likely something else such as the scar capsule, and if it is firmer on that side then you should have a plastic surgeon check it out.

Can A Mammogram Show Bacteria In My Saline Implant?

Dear Mature Lady, Thanks for the question but I am a bit puzzled by your description of your mammogram. Both saline and silicone gel implants will appear opaque on a mammogram. This has to do with the atomic number of the material filling the implants. This is why in the late 1980's and 1990's, researchers looked into filling implants with natural oils including peanut oil and soybean oil. Oil is clear on a mammogram making it easier to read and... more

Breast Implants and Mammogram Findings?

Thank you for the question. Your mammographic findings to not necessarily indicate that your implant has "bacteria in one of them”. It would be more likely that the “opaque one" which is firmer than the other side is involved with excessive scar tissue (encapsulation). This would not at all be unusual after having had the implants in place for 18 years. I would suggest consultation with a well experienced board-certified plastic surgeon. Depending on the... more

Detecting capsular contracture and breast implant rupture with mammogram

Capsular contracture can be associated with a subclinical bacterial infection that can lead to chronic inflammation. Mammogram is not the most sensitive diagnostic test for capsular contracture. I would advise my patients in Los Angeles to undergo a complete physical examination to determine the likelihood of capsular contracture or breast implant rupture.

Mammograms cant detect infection in implants after breast surgery

Mammograms cant detect infection in implants after breast surgery an infection would have symptoms of fever, redness , pain this is most likely calcium in the capsule.. it is probably a goood time to change the implants though

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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.